Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-06-01

soft warmth OF the sprung time Almost |
IulIed her to sleep. Then she had pre-
pared and eaten g, plain dinner, all
alone, and now she was engaged IN
washing q few dishes used, hummlng
g. low love song as she worked and
counting the fights of the moments
that interviewed before her husbands
return by the creeping shadows upon
the distant mountain side. AS she
worked her back was turned toward
the open door, and she did not see
the darker shadows that suddenly fell
athwart the rough floor, MOI note the
crunch of heavy boots upon the fresh
grass, until q rasounding football
upon the step startled her and she
turned quickly to meet the first caller
who had appeared that day-a tall,
fierce looking, bearded man who stood
before her.
"Miseus, who lives here?"
The tone waa harsh and threaten
ing. but the question was q common
one and Nellie replied:
"My husband, Mr.. Lathrop, and
myself"
"Where's the boss?"
"My husband? He's gone to the
Creek for a barrel of salt"
"Where's your hired help?"
eve only have one man, and he is
is not here now. Can [ do anything
for your"
The questions OF the intruder were
becoming impairment.
eyes," growled the black bearded
one. Eyes, yer can. Yer can do this
fer me. Get a good dinner for three
hungry cusses as hasn't had time to
get their own. Come in boys" he
continued, turning toward the door,
''it's all clear. The cocks away,
naught but the hen at home, an we'll
have dinner"
For g. moment poor Mrs. Lathrop
felt faint, and the world sunlit and
warm, danced before her eyes, then
full strength came again as she saw
this burly Stranger fling himself into g.
chair, and lay two enormous pistols
beside his elbow on the table, while g.
pair of others, each as wild and tat
tered and fierce looking as the leader,
followed him. She realized who it
was who sat in her kitchen. The man
whose s'heart was as black as his
beard" Black Dan, the rufian, of
New Mexico, who only two days ago,
with these very companions, had
committed robbery and murder.
This was the man who demanded
dinner, and Mrs. Lathrop knew it
"Don't waste yer time, Missus,"
suddenly spoke the leader, turning
quickly and fastening his fierce, bold
eyes upon the young hostess, don't
waste yer time, nor yer words. Git
dinner"
There was NO mistaking the COM
mand, and the tone in which it was
uttered meant far more than the
words. Mrs. Lathrop began at once
to lay the table.
"We're busted miners, Missus," be-
gan Black Dan, with q wink to his
comrades, completely busted, and
can't pay What We give us to eat
must be fer charity. We amt even
got no weepins, except these pistols o.
mine, an them we're keepin' to help
us out up at the Creek an Begin to
git thar"
Poor Nellie heard all this, believing
not one word, but working steadily
on, trying pork and eggs, making tea
and supplying the table with bread
and butter and cake. When all was
ready she placed chairs and told her
enforced guests that dinner was pre-
pared for them. Awaiting no second
invitation they hastily seated them
selves and began to eat.
Suddenly the leader Of the trio
paused and turned sharply toward
Mrs. Lathrop.
'Missus, are you scared at such
wild looking chaps as we 'uns? Did
yeever see our likes before?"
1t was test question. Black Dan
wished to know If this little woman
who fed them so willingly knew aught
of the robbery at the Peak, or sus-
pected who she entertained. Ever
while her heart leaped with fear Nellie
answered.:
"Oh, indeed, no, Pm not scared
Why should I be? I've seen busted
miners before. mglad to be able to
help you"
eyer a little brick!" calculated
Black Dan, San when / marry I'll
look around first and see eff you're g.
wildly! Here" he continued, lifting
his pistols from the table and extend
ing them to her. 'I'll ask one more
favor o. We. The charges in them
weepins is wet, an eff We kin draw 'em
an reload 'em it will be great bless
in'."
Mechanically Mrs. Lathrop took the
pistols and turned toward the chest
where her husband kept his arms and
ammunition.
But even as she did so q sudden
idea, an inspiration almost, flashed
through her brain. These men were
now unarmed, her husbands double
barreled shotgun, loaded, stood in the
corner; why not capture the murderers
herself
Instantly the brave woman put the
thought into execution. Dropping
the pistols she quickly seized the gun,
raised both hammers to full cock, and
turning, presented them at the trio
about her table.
"Black Dan, you and your COM
rades are my prisoners!''
It may be ner voice trembled-it
would hardly have been strange if it
did-but her hand did not, and the
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